winter 2011/12 the journal of the world's greatest skiing - Summit Tour

The exact moment the odometer turns over When the photo opportunity is just right.
Johnson clearly understands the sweep of time, and the enduring
passion of powder skiing. In all, he’s made 56 visits to CMH since
he first skied the Monashees in 1977 with a buddy named Jim
Dalton. “Even though we didn’t ski together for a lot of years, we just
happened to hit six million on the same day, on the same run. But as
far as this goes, what excites me most is that this is my 35th straight
year. It’s part of my life, obviously.”
Clearly, many others agree. CMH deals out some 300 millionfoot
awards per season, and around 4,000 skiers own at least one
suit, the ultimate conversation-starter wherever it’s worn. Only a few
dozen have ten or more. Typically, skiers reach the million mark in
anywhere from eight to ten visits. Although the award began as a
blazer, it quickly morphed into the far more useful ski suit. Depending
on the era, brands have included HCC, Far West, Ditrani, Bogner,
Marmot and now Arc’teryx.
Having extra suits is never a bad idea for Jack Johnson, who owns
a resort development consultancy in Park City and hits the snow 100
days a season. The key to his longevity, and his ability to keep up with
ex-racer pals 25 years his junior (they’re known to CMH guides as the
Park City Dream Team), is staying in shape. “Any good intermediate
can Heli-Ski,” he says, “but you waste your money if you’re not in
condition.”
Johnson’s daily appointments with the elliptical trainer and the
yoga mat are the key to his longevity. So too, he admits, is the new
equipment. “I skied the first five million on 210s. If it weren’t for fat
skis, I probably wouldn’t make it. Technically I’ve never skied as well
as I do right now, which makes no sense.”
That said, it seems unlikely that Johnson will ever eclipse the
reigning champion of CMH vertical: Todd Leibowitz, with a mindboggling
21 million. He’s being chased by friendly rival Andy Epstein,
with 15. Late last season Epstein was the guy who cracked up the
guides when he mock-boasted, after Leibowitz had departed for the
summer, that it was he who was in fact the world leader… “among
active skiers.”
WINTER 2011/12